Judge issues arrest warrant for missing DeLand man

William Lopez's bondsman fears he has fled to Mexico after receiving bail on a DUI manslaughter charge despite a warning he was a flight risk.

FRANK FERNANDEZSTAFF WRITER

A judge has issued a nationwide arrest warrant for a DeLand man who a bondsman fears has fled to Mexico after receiving bail on a DUI manslaughter charge despite a warning he was a flight risk. William David Lopez, 27, posted $35,000 bail and then fled within 24 hours after his release from jail on Feb. 8, according to an emergency motion seeking the nationwide arrest warrant. Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III issued the warrant on Thursday, but Rowe declined to revoke the $35,000 bail because there was no proof Lopez had indeed fled. Lopez has an arraignment scheduled for March 13 on charges of DUI manslaughter, careless driving without a license causing death or serious bodily injury, and driving without a license. Defense attorney David Damore, who is representing the 2nd 2none Bail bondsman, said Lopez is an undocumented immigrant and may have fled to Mexico. The second page of the charging affidavit against Lopez warns in all capitals: "LOPEZ IS NOT A US CITIZEN AND IS A POTENTIAL FLIGHT RISK." Damore has questioned the decision by County Judge Dawn Fields to grant bail to Lopez. Lopez was arrested after the deadly crash about 5 a.m. Feb. 6. on U.S. 17 near DeLeon Springs, according to reports. Lopez's vehicle crashed with one driven by Connie Rae Rodriguez, 61, who was from North Carolina and had family in Port Orange. The State Attorney's Office has yet to make a decision on whether to formally charge Lopez.